The impact of inpatient collaborative clinical pharmacy renal dosing service on dosage adjustment in patients with chronic kidney disease [RS1-441].

Pesakit ginjal kronik sering mengalami perubahan farmakokinetik dan gerak balas farmakodinamik. Patients with chronic kidney disease often have alterations in their pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic response

Corporate Social Responsibility Among Saudi Arabian Firms: An Empirical Investigation

There is an increasing recognition within the developed economies across the world that today, CSR is not an optional extra; i.e., firms can no longer look at CSR as a luxury or an indicator of their goodwill toward society. Firms, in today’s context, are seeking to integrate CSR in their corporate policies and strategies. Developing countries’ firms, however, are still in the early stage of their awareness and integration of CSR activities within their corporate policies and strategies. The present exploratory study utilizes a sample of Saudi Arabian firms’ managers to assess the extent of their awareness of CSR, its role within their organizations, the extent of CSR integration in their corporate policies, and the nature and scope of these firms’ CSR activities. Results indicate that there is a reasonable level of CSR awareness as well as a moderately positive attitude toward the concept. However, most CSR activities in Saudi Arabia seem to focus on the local communities in which these firms operate. Discussion of the results and their implications are provided

Exploration of Sales-Marketing Interface Nuances in Saudi Arabia

Extant research on sales–marketing interface has ignored emerging markets as research contexts. This study uses grounded theory methodology and depth-interview data from 37 sales and marketing professionals in Saudi Arabia to explicate how firm contexts that are influenced by Islamic values may shape intraorganizational mechanisms between firm leadership and sales and marketing departments, moderate their roles in marketing strategy activities, and affect interface dynamics. Specifically, appreciation of high power distance and traditional authority allow top leadership to be extensively involved in firm\u27s everyday operations and there is a conspicuous absence of two-way dialog between top leadership and interface personnel. As a result, marketing strategy making authority is rarely transferred to sales and marketing. The context thus creates a chain of command with top leadership holding central authority, marketers preparing action plans and salespeople implementing those plans. Overall, this context brings forth certain hitherto unexplored perspectives on this interface

The Impact of Deceitful Tendencies, Relativism and Opportunism on the Negotiation Tactics: A Comparative Study of U.S. and Belgian Managers

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to compare the antecedents of opportunism and its effect on unethical negotiation tactics among US and Belgian managers. Design/methodology/approach – Samples of managers in both countries are surveyed and cross-country analysis using multi-group structural equation modeling is conducted. Findings – Across both countries, deceitful tendencies and relativism are found to be significant predictors of opportunism, which in turn predicts receptiveness to unethical negotiating tactics; however, Belgian managers were found to have higher levels of these constructs, possibly indicating a greater propensity to engage in unethical behaviors than US managers. Research limitations/implications – The current research is limited by the relatively small size of the Belgian sample, differences in data collection method, and the lack of additional contextual measures, which may influence the managers\u27 responses. Practical implications – The finding that the same structural relationships hold across the US and Belgium samples provides insights for both groups of managers engaged in negotiations. Originality/value – The paper offers a comparative perspective on US and Belgian managers and establishes the validity and applicability of frequently used ethics scales in Belgium, a country infrequently studied in this context

MECHANICAL AND DURABILITY PROPERTIES OF GEOPOLYMER CONCRETE – A REVIEW

Owing to the ongoing increase in human population, there is a need for more construction projects including residential buildings and other amenities. Concrete is by far the dominant material used in construction and cement is a main ingredient. Cement manufacture is an energy intensive process and emit large amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. A reduction in the amount of cement used in construction is greatly beneficial. The use of geopolymer or alkali activated materials can serve this purpose as it attempts to totally replace cement in concrete. Geopolymers are materials that consist mainly of silica and alumina materials and activated using alkali such as sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide. This paper attempts to review recent articles on the production and properties of geopolymers and alkali activated materials. Different hardened, structural, and durability properties are studied. These include; compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, ultrasonic pulse velocity, shrinkage, expansion, creep, weight loss, carbonation, sulfate, and corrosion

E. coli in tropical urban rivers : a case study of the Sungai Gombak basin

The primary study area is Sg. Gombak, a river that flows through the mostly urbanized state of Selangor and transcends the capital of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur. The study aims to characterize E. coli, organics and nutrients on the main stem of the river and its tributaries of Sg. Batu and Sg. Kerayong. There were 28 identified spatial sampling stations throughout the basin. The results on the upper reaches of Sg. Gombak showed E. coli levels ranged between 100 – 400 cfu/100mL. The levels increased and remained between 11,000 cfu/100mL to 18,000 cfu/100 mL downstream upon receiving sewage effluent and other pollution sources. This was comparable to Sg. Batu. Conditions were even worse in Sg. Kerayong as E. coli levels were in excess of 140,000 cfu/100 mL. Ambient temperature increase in excess of 30°C with a ∆T rise of 3 to 4°C appeared to result in some decrement of E. coli; at 0.08/°C for Sg. Gombak and 0.20/°C for Sg. Batu, albeit this only occurred at single spatial points in both rivers. Variation in BOD5, NH3-N and NO3-N did not appear to significantly influence bacterial count in the basin. The study results also showed for the water to be deemed suitable for skin contact, a removal efficiency of at least 92% has to be achieved, which in turn, translated to a die-off period of at least two hours

Exploration of sales-marketing interface nuances in Saudi Arabia ☆

a b s t r a c t a r t i c l e i n f o Extant research on sales-marketing interface has ignored emerging markets as research contexts. This study uses grounded theory methodology and depth-interview data from 37 sales and marketing professionals in Saudi Arabia to explicate how firm contexts that are influenced by Islamic values may shape intraorganizational mechanisms between firm leadership and sales and marketing departments, moderate their roles in marketing strategy activities, and affect interface dynamics. Specifically, appreciation of high power distance and traditional authority allow top leadership to be extensively involved in firm's everyday operations and there is a conspicuous absence of two-way dialog between top leadership and interface personnel. As a result, marketing strategy making authority is rarely transferred to sales and marketing. The context thus creates a chain of command with top leadership holding central authority, marketers preparing action plans and salespeople implementing those plans. Overall, this context brings forth certain hitherto unexplored perspectives on this interface

Assessing New Product Sustainability Index (NPSI) by Integrating Sustainability Aspects into the Early New Product Design Stages

Product design is one of the most important stages in the new product development process influencing global sustainability. However, the early design strategy offers the highest impact on sustainability, the need for using sustainable proactive approach in early design decisions could be the effective tool to achieve sustainability of new products. This paper presents a necessity of considering the sustainability aspects in pre-specification stages of new product design process, and introduces a modified methodology for establishing a single Index termed as New Product Sustainability Index (NPSI) which enables the designers to carry out a quick analysis of the alternatives of new product designs and make choices based on various criteria. The index aggregates (TBL) and R & D aspects of different types of quantitative and qualitative indicators and information objects from a product manufacturing point of view, into one single index. The sustainability matrix, aspects and criteria used in evaluating of (NPSI), is constructed in table form

Nanopore Sequencing SARS-CoV-2 genome in Qatar

Background: The current pandemic, COVID-19, is cause by an RNA coronavirus that was recently identified as SARS-CoV-2. RNA viruses tend to have a high mutation rate; the rate is around a million times greater than that of their hosts. The mutagenic potential of the virus depends on many factors, including the fidelity of nucleic acid-replicating viral enzymes, such as SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The rate of mutation drives viral evolution and genome variability, consequently allowing viruses to escape the immunity of the host and develop resistance to drugs. Therefore, the characterization of SARS-CoV-2 variants might lead to implement better therapeutics treatments, vaccines design and identify new diagnostics approaches. Aim: The aim of this study was to establish a fast sequencing method to identify SARS-CoV-2 mutations in Qatar. This will help to assess if there are new viral variants that are spreading in country. Methods: RNA was isolated from samples collected from Qatar COVID-19 positive patients. The Artic Network V3 primer scheme and Oxford Nanopore ligation sequencing kit were used to prepare the sequencing libraries. Libraries were loaded on to R9.4.1 flow cells and ran on a GridION. Bioinformatics analysis was done following the Artic Network SARA-CoV-2 bioinformatics tools. Results: Genome coverage of sequenced samples was >80% and the depth was average at 200x. The coverage was highly dependable on sample viral load; samples of CT value lower than 30 resulted in better sequence coverage. The sequenced genomes were deposited in GISAID and were mainly clustering with genomes deposited from the UK. Sequences were compared to Illumina and sanger sequences and they showed compatible results. Conclusion: The use of ONT to sequence SARA-CoV-2 is a quick, affordable, and reliable technique to determine viral mutation. Using this technique, the first sequences from Qatar were deposited in to GISAID. Up to date, 700 genomes have been sequences from Qatari samples

Prevalence of trachoma in Yemen: results of population-based prevalence surveys of 42 evaluation units in nine governorates.

PURPOSE: In suspected trachoma-endemic areas of Yemen, we sought to determine the prevalence of the sign trachomatous inflammation-follicular (TF) in children aged 1-9 years, and the potential individual and household risk factors for TF in that age group. We also sought to determine the prevalence of trichiasis in adults aged ≥15 years. METHODS: We conducted a cluster-sampled survey in each of 42 evaluation units (EUs) comprising 166 rural districts of nine Governorates (Adh Dhale'a, Al Hodeihah, Al Jawf, Hadramoot, Hajjah, Ibb, Lahj, Ma'rib, Taiz) using the Global Trachoma Mapping Project systems and methodologies. Fieldwork was undertaken from September 2013 to March 2015. Risk factors for TF in children aged 1-9 years were evaluated using multilevel random effects logistic regression. RESULTS: The TF prevalence in children aged 1-9 years was ≥10% in two EUs (7 districts) and 5-9.9% in six EUs (24 districts). In adults aged ≥15 years, trichiasis prevalence was ≥0.2% in five EUs (19 districts). Being older (within the 1-9-year age bracket), being male, living in a household with higher numbers of children, and living in a household that reported the use of open defecation, were each independently associated with higher odds of TF. CONCLUSIONS: These surveys provided baseline data to enable planning for trachoma elimination. The World Health Organization Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 stands ready to assist Yemen once security considerations permit further surveys and implementation of control activities